The tour operators Paradise Helicopters and Sunshine Helicopters discussed initiatives to support and enhance the air tour business with HAI President Matt Zuccaro during his recent visit to Hawaii.

Zuccaro met with Cal Dorn of Paradise and Sunshine’s Paul Morris to discuss a number of HAI initiatives to support air tours, including its ongoing discussions with the FAA, U.S. National Park Service, and representatives of environmental groups as part of the National Parks Overflight Advisory Group. That group was created to develop air tour management plans for national parks.

Cal Dorn of Paradise Helicopters (left), HAI President Matt Zuccaro (center), and Paul Morris of Sunshine Helicopters after their recent discussion in Hawaii.

Zuccaro was in Hawaii to speak at the Aviation Issues Forum, a prestigious annual gathering of congressional, governmental, and aviation industry leaders hosted each year by the American Association of Airport Executives. HAI was a sponsor of the Jan. 9-13 conference in Kona, Hawaii.

In their meeting, the three also reviewed initiatives to enhance the safety of helicopter operations in Hawaii by fielding the greater air traffic surveillance and communications capabilities of the FAA’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast system (which is now operational in the Gulf of Mexico) and gaining funding and support for an integrated network of weather cameras on the islands.

Zuccaro updated Dorn and Morris on HAI’s efforts regarding legislative initiatives that would place unwarranted additional regulatory and financial burdens on the helicopter community.

“It is always good to hear the views and concerns of HAI members working every day out in the field and to be able to share them with the HAI staff,” Zuccaro said. “We look forward to meeting again at HELI-EXPO® and to Paradise Helicopters and Sunshine Helicopters’ participation in the Helicopter Tour Operators Committee meeting there.”